Beyonce helps break 1bn social media milestone for World Humanitarian Day

Beyonce, an ambassador for World Humanitarian Day 2012, has helped the campaign make social media history as more than one billion messages have been shared in relation to the event.

The campaign, which launched August 2, asked people around the world to pledge to help another person on World Humanitarian Day.

At 9am (Eastern Standard Time) on August 19 more than one billion messages were shared at the same time: “This World Humanitarian Day I’m doing something good, somewhere, for someone else. Join Me!” Upon navigating to www.whd-iwashere.org, people can now mark their good deed on a global interactive map.

The former Destiny’s Child artist donated 4 album track I Was Here, co-penned with Diane Warren, to the campaign and debuted it at the UN General Assembly Hall where footage of her performance of the song was taken to make up the related music video.

The campaign numbers soared following the release of the I Was Here music video on August 18.

Beyonce is one of many music artists who supported and helped raise awareness of the event including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, No Doubt, Adele, Shakira, Santigold, Diane Warren.

Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said: “There are seven billion people in the world and we reached hundreds of millions of them with our message. People really care.

“Thanks to the amazing work of Beyoncé and our partners, we now have a global commitment to humanitarian action. The message of people helping people is universal. Making your mark and saying "I Was Here" resonates powerfully with people all over the world.”